Harewood put Forest one up against the run of play in the 19th minute, calmly
taking the ball around Sunderland goalkeeper Mart Poom to slot home from a tight angle after a precise through-ball by Andy Reid.

The same man was the provider again four minutes before half-time when Reid's corner found an unmarked Louis-Jean at the near post.

Sunderland began confidently - at one point Michael Procter had three chances in a minute - but their defeat represents a worrying start to life in Division One for manager Mick McCarthy.

This was Sunderland's 16th consecutive league defeat andthe last time they managed that feat was their victory over Liverpool last December.

Yet early on Sunderland things look more promising for McCarthy's side.

Playing without Kevin Phillips and Michael Gray and with Gavin McCann, Thomas Sorensen, Jody Craddock and David Bellion all departed, the visitors played with a freedom unseen in the Premiership last season.

But Proctor failed to take his chances.

First the 22-year-old pounced on a mistake by veteran Forest defender Des
Walker.

But he was forced wide, and his cross for the rapidly-advancing John
Oster rolled across the six-yard box.

In the same passage of play, Wales winger Oster crossed for Proctor who headed straight at Darren Ward in the Forest goal.

Proctor was involved yet again as he found space in a congested penalty area to pick out fellow striker Kevin Kyle, whose shot came back off the post with Ward well beaten.

The Sunderland striker also lobbed wide, having beaten Thompson for pace and hit an overhead kick straight at Ward.

Harewood also had the ball in the net again before half-time from a Michael Stewart corner - but the goal was disallowed for pushing by John Thompson on Poom.